AUGUSTA, Ga.—Gary L. Wood has been named publisher of the Yankton (S.D.) Daily Press & Dakotan. The announcement was made Friday by William S. Morris IV, president of Morris Communications, parent company of the South Dakota daily.

As publisher, Wood also will oversee the operations of Vermillion (S.D.)Plain Talk, a weekly newspaper, and two free community papers, The Broadcaster, Vermillion, and Missouri Valley Shopper, Yankton. Wood will assume his new responsibilities Sept. 24.

Most recently, Wood served as classified advertising director for the Sioux City (Iowa) Journal. Throughout his newspaper career, he has been in sales and sales management positions with The Examiner, San Francisco; The Denver Post; and the Daily News, Los Angeles. Wood also was owner and managing director of Great Marketing Ideas, a full-service advertising agency in Denver.

"It's a pleasure to welcome Gary to our company," said Morris. "His strong experience and impressive track record in sales and marketing management will be a great asset to this important position in our Western Publishing Group."

Wood succeeds Rita L. Thomas, who became publisher of another Morris-owned daily newspaper, the York (Neb.) News-Times, in April 2003.

Morris Communications is a privately held media company with diversified holdings that include newspaper and magazine publishing, outdoor advertising, radio broadcasting, book publishing and distribution, and online services. For more information, visit www.morris.com.